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Getty ImagesAl Fayed pictured in 2008The Metropolitan Police only asked prosecutors to decide whether to charge Mohamed Al Fayed in relation to two out of 21 women who accused him of sexual offences while he was alive, the BBC has established.
It raises serious questions about the Met’s response to women who said they were abused by the former Harrods owner, who died aged 94 last year.
The BBC has also found that a woman was investigated for aiding and abetting rape by Al Fayed.
Scotland Yard had refused to answer the BBC’s questions about how many women it sought charging decisions on, but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) provided the information.

Becca WarrenFri 18 Oct 2024 13.01 EDTLast modified on Fri 18 Oct 2024 13.16 EDTShareMy father, Patrick Warren, who has died aged 85, was principal design and conservation officer for the city of Durham, where he masterminded a strategic restructuring of the city over three decades.
Much of Pat’s work focused on the city centre, in particular the pedestrianisation of Elvet Bridge and the old marketplace, which had become a rather large car park but which is now a lovely space that is much better connected to the adjacent streets.
Pat also brought a statue of Poseidon back to its rightful place in the market square, and made sure that all new developments, especially the Milburngate shopping centre, acknowledged the fact that the architecture of Durham revolves around the cathedral and the castle.
Pat was born in Ploughley, Oxfordshire, to Nellie (nee Gregory), a midwife, and her husband, Will Warren, a Quaker, who worked variously as a carpenter’s labourer, a nightwatchman and a printer’s reader.
View image in fullscreenBridgwater Balloon by Pat Warren. He enjoyed painting as a hobbyAfter attending Lord Williams’s grammar school in Thame, he went to the Oxford School of Architecture and then the Leeds School of Town Planning before becoming an assistant architect with Sheffield city council in 1963.
Through his membership of CND in Leeds, Pat met Patricia Gaythorpe, a physiotherapist, and they married in 1966. The couple then moved to Durham, where Pat became a senior design officer at Durham county council, and they had four children. When Patricia died of cancer in 1980, Pat found himself having to look after the family on his own.
By then he had become principal design and conservation officer at Durham, charged with using urban conservation to promote tourism and improve the quality of life in the city, as well as its environs, including several former mining villages. Alongside his career and parenting responsibilities he chaired the local Gingerbread group for single parents, tried parachuting, Cossack dancing and windsurfing, and began learning Chinese.
In retirement from 1999 onwards, Pat volunteered with Voluntary Service Overseas as a town planning adviser in China, Kiribati, Java, Papua New Guinea and Zambia. In all of those places he lived as much of a local life as he could.
In 2016, having returned from his VSO travels, Pat settled in Bridgwater, Somerset, where he ran a U3A art class, joined the Labour party and became a member of the local art and chess societies. He also returned to his love of making art, developing a bright, naive painting style.
In 2021 Pat moved to Teignmouth in Devon, where he spent time with his granddaughters, painted, and memorised comedic poems to entertain his neighbours. Although a quiet man he was far from serious, and was known for his sense of humour and fun.
He is survived by his children, Mike, Robin, Hazel and me, and two granddaughters, Iris and Martha.

Theatre Royal WindsorEduardo de Filippo’s ode to the family is revived with a stylish design but does not reach enough comical or emotional peaks
Chris WiegandThu 10 Oct 2024 10.04 EDTLast modified on Thu 10 Oct 2024 10.06 EDTShareA quirk of Eduardo de Filippo’s 1946 Neapolitan comedy is that it opens in the aftermath of what could have been its best scene. Domenico has just married his long-neglected partner, Filumena, on her deathbed, only to find her leap from the sheets in rude health, delighted with the trick she has played. As Sean Mathias’s production gets under way, Matthew Kelly strides about in indignant rage at the discovery while Felicity Kendal watches in silence, her impish smile and a slight shake of the hand speaking volumes.
It is an amusing introduction that sets up a play about relationships put to the test, yet without the enticing strangeness of the Italian playwright’s subsequent and superior Grand Magic. After seeing whether he loves her enough to marry her, Filumena springs another surprise: would he also bring into the family her three hitherto secret sons (Gavin Fowler, Fabrizio Santino and George Banks)?
Using an English version by Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall, this revival stretches the length of time that Domenico has taken Filumena for granted. Their relationship has lasted 35 years, rather than De Filippo’s 25. (Both characters were written to be around 50 yet are played here by actors more than 20 years older.) It brings an added note of bitterness when Filumena says she has been treated as a workhorse while Domenico had his eye on racehorses.
View image in fullscreenFleeting spark … Jodie Steele (Diana) with Ben Nealon (Nocella) and Matthew Kelly (Don Domenico) in Filumena. Photograph: Jack MerrimanThere are a few sparks with the arrival of his mistress (Jodie Steele) and some other incidental delights but this tale of births, marriages and deaths falls short on big, believable emotions. One exception is Filumena’s speech about a stifling childhood spent in the slums, with sex work presented as her only exit route. It contrasts with the male characters’ misty-eyed memories, which rarely go beyond victories at the racetrack and conquests in the bedroom.
A lengthy first act has the couple trade threats, recriminations and insults yet without reaching uproarious comedy and frequently reducing the supporting actors to bystanders (Julie Legrand and Sarah Twomey fare best). Kelly, sporting a dastardly moustache, has deft touches of light humour yet the arguments would have greater charge if his Domenico was more bullish. Kendal, face framed by a tumble of curls, has a hint of Anna Magnani in her resilience. (The role was played on screen, in Marriage Italian Style, by Sophia Loren.) She adds Italian accents to a script that occasionally presents colloquialisms in place of Neapolitan dialect: Filumena is accused of looking “like a wet weekend”. In the second act, the sparring is replaced by pleading, promises and second guesses, but the transformations fail to convince.
Despite Morgan Large’s splendid dining room, with its ceiling fresco and elegant windows, the flavour of Naples is largely absent – as are the political tensions of the era – although class is used to differentiate the three sons. De Filippo’s message of unconditional love, wrapped up in the tender assertion that “a child is a child”, should fill the heart but his paean to family spirit is never as spry as it could be.
At Theatre Royal Windsor until 19 October.

Police are searching for the remains of Colleen Walker-Craig, 16, who vanished in 1990 – the same year Evelyn Greenup, four, and Clinton Speedy-Duroux, 16, were killed
Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastJordyn BeazleySun 20 Oct 2024 22.42 EDTLast modified on Mon 21 Oct 2024 01.50 EDTShareHomicide detectives have returned to Bowraville as the search continues for the remains of a 16-year-old girl who disappeared from the New South Wales town almost 35 years ago, along with two other Aboriginal children.
Colleen Walker-Craig was one of three Indigenous children killed over a five-month period in 1990.
The remains of two of the children – Evelyn Greenup, four, who was Colleen’s cousin, and Clinton Speedy-Duroux, 16 – were discovered within months.
Colleen’s body was never located. Her clothes were found weighted down in the nearby Nambucca River. A coroner has found that she was probably murdered.
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The three alleged murders were originally investigated separately before being linked by the homicide squad.
“Our presence in Bowraville this week is a testament to our ongoing commitment to this investigation and we hope this re-appeal can help us uncover new insights and ultimately move closer to justice,” the homicide squad commander, Det Supt Danny Doherty, said on Monday.
Bowraville murders: reward for information on three Aboriginal children triples to $3mRead more“One of the most heartbreaking aspects of this case is that Colleen’s remains have never been found and that will be a key focus of our detectives this week.
“Finding Colleen’s remains is absolutely critical in helping us close this painful chapter and we are hopeful there are still people out there who have information that could point us in the right direction.”
A man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was acquitted of Clinton’s murder in 1994 and of Evelyn’s murder in 2006.
In 2018 the NSW government unsuccessfully argued in the state’s court of criminal appeal that those two acquittals should be overturned and there should be a new single trial on three murder charges. They had argued this would be justified by fresh and compelling evidence relating to Colleen’s disappearance.
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The high court refused to grant special leave to the government to appeal against the decision. In 2019, after the decision, the Greens MP David Shoebridge lobbied to change the state’s double-jeopardy laws in the quest to get a retrial. This was unsuccessful after an inquiry found it could affect unrelated parts of the criminal justice system.
View image in fullscreenDet Supt Danny Doherty met family and friends in Bowraville on Monday. Photograph: NSW policeDoherty said detectives would spend this week in Bowraville focused on finding Colleen’s remains.
There is a $1m reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each alleged murder.
“Detectives will be spending the week in Bowraville to spread community consciousness and encourage anyone with information to come forward,” Doherty said on Monday. “Now is the time.”

On October 17, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail (HSR) celebrated its first year of operation, having transported nearly 5.79 million passengers since its launch, with a remarkable peak daily ridership reaching 99.6%.

This high-speed rail line has significantly reduced the travel time between Jakarta and Bandung from over three hours to just 46 minutes, offering a convenient and comfortable travel option for residents along the route.

Indonesian passenger Winnie expressed her appreciation for the Jakarta-Bandung HSR, stating that it is incredibly convenient and a time-saver for travelers with limited schedules who prefer efficient public transportation.

Over the past year, the Sino-Indonesian operational partnership has adapted to the growing demand for travel, optimizing train schedules to increase the number of daily trains from an initial 14 to a peak of 52. Furthermore, the seating capacity for passengers has surged from just over 8,400 to more than 31,000.

The HSR has not only accelerated the movement of people between cities but has also enhanced economic interaction in the region. Shops near Halim Station in Jakarta and Padalarang and Dekarul stations in Bandung have thrived, as a steady stream of visitors has boosted the incomes of many small business owners.

Leveraging the high-speed rail, the Indonesian government is actively promoting tourism along the route, aiming to attract international travelers to experience the local cuisine, stunning landscapes, and rich cultural history. This initiative is transforming the line into a golden tourism corridor. According to official Indonesian data, the Jakarta-Bandung HSR project contributed approximately 40 billion RMB to the regional GDP of Jakarta and West Java between 2019 and 2023.

On October 20, 2023, in Sichuan’s Guanghan, renowned for the Sanxingdui archaeological site, a significant academic seminar titled “Bronze Civilization in the Yangtze River Basin: Perspectives on Interaction and Exchange” took place during the 21st annual conference of the Chinese Archaeological Society. The event gathered over a hundred archaeological experts and scholars from across the country to discuss the latest research findings related to early bronze civilizations represented by the Yangtze River Basin.

Key figures at the opening ceremony included Guan Qiang, Deputy Director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration; Chen Xingcan, President of the Chinese Archaeological Society; Liu Guangqiang, Mayor of Deyang; and Tang Fei, Director of the Sichuan Provincial Cultural Heritage Bureau, with Liu Guoxiang serving as the host.

During the keynote speeches and academic discussions, participants delivered more than ten thematic reports showcasing recent field archaeological discoveries and interdisciplinary research outcomes from the Yangtze River Basin and relevant regions. This contributed to a deeper understanding of regional civilizational interactions and exchanges.

Xu Danyang, Deputy Director of the Sanxingdui Site Workstation, revealed that new archaeological explorations at the Yueyawan site suggest it may serve as a primary source for the raw materials used in Sanxingdui stone tools. Meanwhile, Dong Jing, Deputy Director of the Sanxingdui Museum, emphasized the museum’s commitment to enhancing digitization and intelligent exhibition, aiming to establish a world-class institution that embodies international standards while reflecting local culture.

Fang Qin, Director of the Hubei Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, noted that since the initiation of research on the middle Yangtze River civilization, several archaeological projects have yielded promising results. Xu Lianggao, a researcher from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Archaeology Institute, identified preliminary insights about the political systems, economic models, and cultural exchanges in the Wu and Yue regions during the Shang and Zhou dynasties based on archaeological data.

Cheng Yi, Director of the Suzhou Archaeological Research Institute, confirmed that archaeological findings and historical records identify the ancient city of Suzhou as the location of the late Spring and Autumn period capital of the Wu state, as well as significant sites of the Chu Jiang Dongjun and Qin Han Huiji regions.

Researcher Niu Shishan, from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, indicated that archaeological work from 2023 to 2024 along the north bank of the Yinxu River has achieved breakthroughs, enhancing research on the planning, layout, and societal aspects of the Yin ruins.

Zhu Zhonghua, Deputy Director of the Yunnan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, highlighted that Yunnan’s Bronze Age spans from the mid-Xia dynasty to the early Eastern Han, showcasing a rich variety of archaeological remains. Meanwhile, Bai Jiufeng, Director of the Chongqing Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, asserted that the Chengyang copper artifact group and the Baoshan culture are attributed to early Ba cultural groups, with Chengyang serving as a political and religious hub.

High Chenglin, Deputy Director of the Hunan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, explained that Hunan’s bronze artifacts from the Shang and Zhou dynasties can be divided into three main categories: bronze from the early Yinxu period, “Southern Shang bronze,” and artifacts from the late Shang to early Zhou periods.

Liu Baoshan, Director of the Wuxi Cultural Relics and Archaeology Institute, noted that Wuxi’s Shang dynasty artifacts clearly display features of both Hushu and Majiao cultures, indicating a blend of two cultural exchanges. Yang Wensheng, Deputy Director of the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, remarked that from a macro-archaeological perspective, the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties share more cultural commonalities, reflecting the diversity and unity of Chinese culture.

Zhang Wengjie, Associate Dean of the School of History and Cultural Heritage at Xiamen University, stated that while divination oracle bones from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods are rare, their widespread distribution indicates the prevalence of divination practices during this time, characterized by diversification and the integration of concepts like yin and yang.

Tian Wei, Director of the Field Archaeology Research Institute at the National Museum of China, shared that several sites in the middle and lower Yangtze River regions have revealed remains related to mining and metallurgy during the Xia and Shang periods, suggesting the existence of early small-scale mining activities.

Zhang Aibing, a professor at Anhui University, argued that the copper mining and smelting heritage along the Yangtze River reflects a unified metallurgical industrial system, serving as crucial evidence of ancient China’s longstanding scientific and cultural advancement. Fang Hui, Director of the Cultural Heritage Research Institute at Shandong University, examined the distinctions in sitting postures and ceremonial behaviors between the Yi and Xia cultures based on the original meanings of their characters, emphasizing cultural nuances.

Yang Yimin, a professor at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, noted that initial analyses of pottery residues from Hubei’s archaeological sites did not identify signs of dairy processing, potentially linked to lactose intolerance in southern populations or the roles of ruminant animals.

Concluding the meeting, Shi Jinsong, Vice President of the Chinese Archaeological Society, indicated that new materials unearthed at the Sanxingdui site have facilitated connections between the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, its middle and lower sections, and the Central Plains, thereby presenting a more comprehensive and nuanced picture of China’s Bronze Age civilizations. He emphasized the need for a multidisciplinary approach in future archaeological work, advocating for deeper investigations into the interplay of resources, technologies, ideas, and populations to explore the motivations, methods, and outcomes of cultural exchanges while also addressing environmental, resource, technology, transportation, ethnic, religious, and societal studies to break regional boundaries and achieve a more holistic understanding.

*Boniface’s winner ends Leverkusen’s two-game winless streak in Germany
Duro Ikhazuagbewith agency report
Samuel Chukwueze returned from an injury copped on international duty with the Super Eagles to score the only goal of the evening as AC Milan defeated Udinese 1-0 yesterday.
The goal ruined the day for another Nigerian international, Maduka Okoye, who was in goal for Udinese at San Siro in Milan.
Chukwueze was cleared just on Friday to return to action but became the head corner stone for the Rossoneri. He latched on a short pass from Christian Pulisic to fire the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Okoye to give his side the lead inside 12 minutes.
Udinese had to wait until the half-hour mark to make a difference, although it came at a cost for Milan. Tijjani Reijnders was shown a straight red card by referee Daniele Chiffi for denying Sandi Lovric a clear goalscoring opportunity – marking the Rossoneri’s third sending off this season.
Udinese however failed to capitalise on the oneman advantage, squandering several chances before the break, including a Kingsley Ehizibue header ruled out for offside, as the hosts held firm to take the lead into half time break
An end-to-end affair materialised following the break, and Kosta Runjaić’s outfit held the upper hand in possession and chances after Milan’s early sending-off.
The German manager introduced four fresh faces post the hour mark. However, a change of strategy barely bothered the Rossoneri, as Udinese struggled to string chances together, although substitute Jurgen Ekkelenkamp nearly threatened Mike Maignan with a snap shot over the crossbar.
Pulisic then forced Maduka Okoye into a brilliant one-handed save from point-blank range, before the keeper denied Ruben Loftus-Cheek at the near post.
For Milan to hold out as long as they did despite their disadvantage, a victory seemed deserved at the end, but not before they escaped a late scare after a VAR review denied Udinese an equaliser.
Chukwueze expectedly scooped the Man of the Match award as Milan jumped to third place on the Serie A table with 14 points from eight games.
Elsewhere in Europe, Victor Boniface redeemed himself from missing a penalty with a goal scored in regulation time against Eintracht Frankfurt to end Bayer Leverkusen’s two-match winless streak.
On the back of a disappointing Bundesliga mini-spell,Leverkusenwere gifted an opportunity to take the lead early doors when Amine Adli drew a foul from Junior Dina Ebimbe to earn the hosts a penalty.
However, the usually-reliable Victor Boniface was unable to convert, with Kevin Trapp making a strong save.
Boniface however made amends for his penalty miss when he headed home after a defensive mix-up saw Trapp deflect the ball into the path of the Leverkusen striker.
It was a goal that means none of the last 20 meetings between the two sides have finished in a draw, with Leverkusen getting their title defence back on track ahead of another week of European action.

On October 19th, due to adverse sea conditions caused by cold air, ferry services between Mawei in Fuzhou and Matsu were suspended in both directions. The Fujian maritime authorities announced this evening that the “Little Three Links” passenger ferry route will remain canceled for travel on October 20th as well.

Additionally, the Fujian Marine Forecasting Center issued a blue wave warning on the same day, indicating that from the night of October 19th through the afternoon of October 20th, there will be significant wave activity in local fishing grounds. Specifically, waves of 3.5 to 5.0 meters are expected in the central and southern fishing areas, while the eastern fishing grounds and surrounding waters, including the Diaoyu Islands, will see waves ranging from 3.0 to 4.0 meters. Furthermore, the shoreline south of Pingtan is anticipated to experience waves of 2.0 to 3.0 meters, with those to the north reaching 1.5 to 2.5 meters.

As we move through October, Fujian is transitioning from its “typhoon season” to what is known as the “winter gale season.” The Fujian Meteorological Station warns that over the next week, cold air activity will be frequent, with northeastern winds reaching speeds of over force 8 in the coastal waters, necessitating caution for sectors such as shipping, coastal tourism, and fisheries due to these strong winds.

Currently, there is a marked increase in the movement of people between Fujian and Taiwan. Statistics show that in the first three quarters of this year, the number of Taiwanese entering Fujian from the province’s ports has reached 650,000, reflecting a 73.5% increase compared to the previous year.

On October 12th, the 2024 Shenyang Arts Season kicked off its Youth Drama section at the Shenyang Times Theatre, organized by the Shenyang Municipal Bureau of Culture, Tourism, and Radio and Television.

This year, the Youth Drama segment features six carefully selected small theatre productions from across the country. Among the highlights are “Piao Piao’s Youth,” a realism play performed in the Wuhan dialect, “The Wedding Can’t Stop,” a vibrant urban comic drama crafted by a team of professional writers, young directors, and university students, and “Have You Seen My Cat?”—an engaging piece by a renowned folk theatre troupe from Lingnan centered on a cat. Additionally, there is a blend of stand-up comedy and improvisational performances from Shenyang’s comedy scene, as well as a new interpretation of Tian Han’s work titled “Suzhou Night Talk” from Tianjin. The lineup also includes the acclaimed “Cangxin Road No. 5,” a production that has evolved over a decade within a state-owned professional theatre group.

The opening performance, “Piao Piao’s Youth,” captures the audience’s attention with its unique regional style and relatable storytelling. This play offers a vivid portrayal of a young urbanite’s journey, delivering an experience that is at once “absurd yet real.” The 2024 Shenyang Arts Season’s Youth Drama section aspires to showcase the youthful spirit of Chinese theatre, energizing the stage in Shenyang and encouraging drama to become a vital part of the city’s youth culture.

It’s worth noting that the Youth Drama section is one of the main activities of the 2024 Shenyang Arts Season, with five additional productions slated to perform from October 13th to 19th at the Shenyang Shengjing Grand Theatre and the No. 6 Warehouse Times Theatre.

In an unexpected turn of events, LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) reported a decline in sales last quarter, with its fashion and leather goods division experiencing a 5% drop. According to Reuters, the decline was primarily attributed to reduced spending by consumers in Mainland China. The luxury giant also warned that “economic uncertainty and geopolitical conditions” would impact its overall performance.

On October 15, LVMH announced that its revenue for the third quarter (July to September) fell by 3% year-over-year, totaling €19.1 billion, contrary to analysts’ expectations of a 1% growth. This marked the first sales decline for the fashion and leather goods sector since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, falling significantly short of the consensus forecast from Visible Alpha. This division is often viewed as a key barometer for the luxury market.

Following the disappointing financial report, LVMH’s American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) dropped as much as 10%. The report was released after the close of the Paris stock market.

In a press release, LVMH noted that the revenue slump was “primarily due to the appreciation of the yen, resulting in very low growth in the Japanese market.” However, CFO Jean Jacques Guiony highlighted to analysts that consumer confidence in Mainland China has fallen to levels not seen since the pandemic.

The Financial Times pointed out that for the past decade, Chinese shoppers have been the largest driving force behind the growth of the luxury industry. Now, however, they are beginning to curtail their spending due to concerns over China’s economic outlook and a sluggish real estate market.

In the third quarter, LVMH’s revenue in Asia (excluding Japan) plummeted by 16%. In the U.S., sales remained flat, while Japan still saw double-digit growth, albeit with a noticeable slowdown compared to the first half of the year. Sales in the group’s jewelry, watch, wine, and spirits segments also declined in the third quarter.

Citigroup analyst Saviote described LVMH’s performance as “unusual” given their status as a leader in the luxury sector, prompting him to lower the company’s full-year revenue projections by 3% to 5%. RBC Capital Markets analyst Dahania echoed this sentiment, indicating that the results reflected a more pronounced slowdown than anticipated.

When asked about the recent market stabilization measures introduced by Beijing, Guiony said it is still too early to assess their potential impact on demand but emphasized that “this shows they are taking this issue very seriously.”

The post-pandemic luxury consumption boom has faded, and although LVMH had previously shown resilience, it now appears to be on a downturn. Competitors like Burberry and Kering have fared worse, with recent sales figures reflecting double-digit declines. In contrast, brands targeting ultra-wealthy customers, such as Hermès, have remained strong; Hermès is scheduled to release its sales results next week.

Year-to-date, Hermès shares have risen nearly 10%, while LVMH’s stock has fallen about 14%, and Kering, which owns Gucci, has seen a 41% decline.